Battle of the Concealers

Hello hello hello! Ugh, I have classes starting Monday and woooo long hours of commuting. I'm actually excited for my classes though... a bit nervous too, as ALL of my classes this term are supposed to be difficult classes.

Today's post will be about the concealers I'm using. I currently use four concealers, never all at the same time but I use different concealers for different days. Some concealers are used more often than others.

For days that I know I'm going to be out for a long time (a typical school or work day, in my case) I don't like having foundation on my face. It starts to feel heavy no matter how little I use or what the brand is. Concealers, on the other hand, I use for spots and blemishes. ONLY spots and blemishes, which saves the rest of my face from suffocating lol.

I use my fingers for application. I like to keep patting until it is fully blended into my face.  I strongly recommend those looking for concealers to get the right shade for your face! Especially if you're only going to cover spots and skip foundation.  It looks really weird when you have darker spots of concealer on your face,  you know? Defeats the purpose of doing it!

These are my concealers.  From left to right:

Kat Von D: Tattoo Concealer ($25) in the shade SAND
Revlon: Colorstay Blemish Concealer ($8) in the shade 001 FAIR
Canmake: Cover & Stretch Concealer UV ($10) in the shade 01
Revlon: Photoready Concealer ($10) in the shade 001 FAIR (also my current favoirte :D)

These are what the applicators look like. My favorite is the squeeze tube, simply because this is more  hygienic and I get more product out. Later when I'm almost done, I'm going to cut it in half to get every last product out of it. I'm okay with the Photoready applicator, which is basically just turning the bottom half to get more product.  I don't apply this directly to my face, I apply it to my clean finger(s) and then apply.  My least favorite is probably the wand applicator because I will not be able to get the products that are beneath the wand, which to me, is a waste :(

I wish I had gotten the Kat Von D in their lightest shade, the SA told me that I was the second lightest shade and it looks good in room light but in sun light, I look a bit darker. I usually don't like to use this on it's own, maybe under foundation or something because I feel very self-conscious LOL. The Kat Von D Tatto Concealer also came out with new packaging/shades so you might want to check that out.  By the way, I refuse to believe this covers a tattoo.  Maybe a white tattoo but definitely not a black tattoo.

The Revlon: Colorstay Blemish Concealer is for blemishes. NOT under eyes! It will be way too drying for your under eyes. First of all, it feels very light. I like to use this on my active blemishes because this does have 0.5% salicylic acid. I feel less guilty about covering my blemishes.  The odd thing about this product is that if it's a tiny pimple, it will do very little for the pimple. But if I have a big pimple, I notice that it does get smaller in size by the time I remove my makeup.

The Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer is what I put around in my makeup bag. The only problem I have with this is that it has a strong yellow undertone.  Despite being Asian, my skin has a lot more pink underneath. I guess I'm somewhat neutral but I find this concealer too yellow for my liking but it's not specifically darker.  Just yellower! A pro about this product is that it is waterproof! It does "stretch" out, meaning, a small amount will cover a larger area. It is a Japanese product, and I assume it is more readily available in Japan. I got mine online. This has a bit of a thicker consistency but I wouldn't say it feels heavy.

And finally, my all time favorite: Revlon's Photoready Concealer!
I don't know why people complain about the glitters because I REALLY don't see it when it's applied on my face. Yes, I see it when its swatched but not when it's fully blended out on my actual face.  The consistency is creamy but with moderate to full coverage.  Buildable, but I advise you don't as too much of it can make you look cakey. But I really don't see why anyone would need so much of it, as the coverage is great!

So to show you guys how well these concealers cover, I drew lines on my arm with a waterproof eyeliner.  I was going to use a sharpie but I worried it wouldn't come off LOL. 

From left to right:

Kat Von D: Tattoo Concealer, Revlon: Colorstay Blemish Concealer, Canmake: Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Revlon: Photoready Concealer

 These are the consistencies! 

Blended out

Revlon's Photoready Concealer concealed the most, followed by Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer, and lastly Revlon's Colorstay Blemish Concealer.

I think because the Colorstay Blemish Concealer is supposed to work on pimples, it conceals less.  But between Kat Von D and Revlon's Photoready, Photoready takes home first place because it covers the most and I probably used less product than the other concealers.  I love this concealer! And I guess Canmake is doing well in my makeup bag, used for touching up if needed.  I still like the Blemish Concealer though!

Ahh, what do you guys think? Tell me about your favorite concealer! If you don't use any, maybe your favorite foundation? :)

Recent (somewhat) Buys!

So I guess it is obvious that I did not post anything since the last time I posted. A lot has happened over the span of half a year and basically, I've decided to accept the things I cannot change. That's when everything seemed to get easier.

And THEN I really missed blogging so I decided that I'm really back for good this time. Pretty bad timing though, I start classes next Monday. Ahh already into my 3rd year of college... time really flies by!

Today's post will be about my somewhat recent buys (both beauty and non-beauty related), so I hope you guys enjoy!

I actually own another dog now (a chihuahua) and he has a knack for nibbling on my earphones and he always manages to tear them apart. I gave up on buying good earphones because they never seem to last and I got these for $10 (orig. $20) at tjmaxx.  There were several designs but I liked the polka dot ones best. I bought a back up of these as well, but in stripes instead. The ones without volume control/microphone are only $6, get them if you come across these! They're pretty good quality.

I needed a new crossbody bag. But I'm poor right now LOL (actually not funny...) so I got this from Forever21 for $18 after taxes. It's a bit darker in real life, like a legitimate 'tan' color. Obviously not the BEST quality, as you can see there is some poor stitch work in the center but overall, I do like it very much.

I like it even more because it has two compartments inside. I keep my wallet towards the back and my keys/cards/etc in the front. My wallet is pretty bulky and I like that it fits comfortably without making the bag look too bulky.

My friend "R" got this for me on my birthday. It's an "Eyeko" mascara, I was eyeing this for a while but my local Sephora's did not carry this so I was pretty hesitant on getting it. I haven't really tested it out for sure yet but my first impressions of it were good. I like this packaging, I feel like I'm going to waste less product.. because I can technically squeeze the sides of it so I can get more product out when I'm running low... does this make sense??

It comes with this little chip for you to hold under your lashes so your mascara won't ruin your eye makeup. Neat! Reminds me of a guitar pick.

Interesting wand, no? I believe this retails for $19 but I may be wrong.

The same friend also got me Benefit's Coralist blush. It's basically my go-to blush when I'm busy in the mornings. I like it because I don't really have to blend out as much (because the color is pretty light/subtle) but it still gives me that 'glow'.

Color of it with flash! The flash shows the color best. It's a really nice pink. And is it just me or do some of the Benefit blushes smell good?...

My three favorite foundations: Dr. Jart BB cream, Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation, Clinique Even Better Foundation. Let me know if you guys want reviews!

My new favorite pressed powder. It's only a dollar and ELF items are almost always a hit or miss so I was skeptical but I hit pan on the first one and I bought a back up.  My skin is not the most sensitive and I think this serves my skin pretty well. It has very little salacylic acid in it (0.5 I believe) but it does help with my skin when it's having a bad day (or week.. lol). It's not a life saver but it does help a bit. Oh, the coverage is pretty good as well! Beware though, this product has talc in it which does seem to bother many people. And a lot of people broke out because of this. But it's worth a try for a dollar I think, if your skin is not the most sensitive.



My new favorite concealer! Revlon's PhotoReady.  The top one is my backup because I'm almost done with my first tube of this. The glitter particles seem to bother some people but I don't see anything when it's on my skin. Love the consistency and coverage. If I am wearing this, I am not wearing any foundation. It's almost always either this, or my foundation but never both.

My Lioele princess mirror! It's a small hand-held mirror but it's so cute, isn't it?

Ok. So I got these little boxes (3 x 2 in) and they're called "Really Useful Boxes". They're cute and stackable but not useful at all. What am I going to do?!

YAY! Sharpie highlighters for only $1/pack!!! This is crazy for me because I love Sharpie highlighters but they're NEVER a dollar for 2. Ahhh this was so exciting LOL. Everyone else must feel the same way because I grabbed the 2 from the 3 remaining in that big box.

Ah, feels good to be back. Do you guys want reviews on anything? Or do you have any input on the products? Let me know!

Tag! 11 questions

[Don't forget to enter my one-year giveaway!]

Hello, hello!

Today's post will be a lot of text. I was tagged by Vonnie :)

Rules that must be posted

* Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
* Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
* You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
* Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
* No tag backs.
* No stuff in the tagging section about 'you are tagged if you are reading this.' You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

1. I used to sort of be a social butterfly but now I only have about 5 real friends. But I'm actually very cool with that.
2. I am a Korean drama/variety addict, nothing will stop me. My current obsessions are: Brain, Ojakyo Brothers, Running Man, and Happy Together (my all time favorite).
3. I am an only child.
4. My current part-time job is my first real job.
5. I am a double major and I am seriously considering a double minor because there are so many things I want to learn of.
6. I have a dog =)
7. My parents spoil me and I am forever grateful for that.
8. This is the first blog I have maintained for over a year.
9. I am more concerned about skincare than makeup. I am also genetically pretty pale.
10. I have an obsession for wallets. I have a drawer full of wallets.
11. I like to re-read my favorite books even though I already know the story by heart.

Vonnie's questions:

1. What is your favorite book?
-My favorite book is The Woman Warrior. I think it's such a good book. I first read it in the 7th grade but I re-read it whenever I have time.
2. If you could be any movie character, who would you be?
-I would want to be Mulan, no joke LOL. Saving your country is a big deal!
3. What is/was your favorite school subject?
-My favorite subjects are politics, philosophy, english, and sociology.
4. Are you a night owl or an early sleeper?
-Definitely a night owl. 4-5AM is no biggie for me.
5. Who is your personal fashion icon?
-Ga-in from the Brown Eyed Girls, don't judge me! Lol or maybe not, she's very chic while I'm quite casual.
6. When you go out to eat, what is your preferred type of cuisine?
-Anything! Really.
7. What do you consider your best beauty discover of 2011?
-Hmm... interesting question. I would have to say it is my MAC mineralize skinfinish. I think it's very pretty :) in the packaging and on your face! Very flattering.
8. Do you have any pets?
-Yup! A dog.
9. Which style do you think best fits your personality?
-Casual.
10. What upcoming events in 2012 are you looking forward to?
-Spring semester! And hmm.. being freed from my shopping ban!
11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
-I don't really have another country I'd like to live at but I'd love to move to the west coast for a change!

My questions:
1) When, why, or how did you start blogging?
2) Fast food. Yay or nay?
3) Are you more concerned about skincare or makeup?
4) What is a book that really changed your life (ie: the way you think/act)?
5) Would you rather save for a really high end brand or buy several "middle end" bags?
6) What is your one beauty rule you would never ever break?
7) Has blogging made a difference in your life? How?
8) Sephora or Ulta or drugstore (if you had a $150 budget)?
9) What is one beauty rule you cannot live up to?
10) If you could be any celebrity for one day, who would it be?
11) What is one physical feature on your face that you really love?

*Breaking a rule*
I honestly tag you if you read this. You have been tagged if you actually read this far. So please do it and link me back to your post! I want to see how many people actually do it LOL.

Thank you, Vonnie for this interesting post!

& a picture to wrap up this post:


I bought lip butters! But only two are for me, lol.

Have you tried lip butters yet?! Should I review them even though they're totally super duper hyped? LOL.